A note from history: Landmarks in history of cancer, part 1

Review of the earliest written descriptions and reports of cancer show that ancient physicians and surgeons made gradual progress in understanding cancer. It became clear to most of them that early detection and complete removal, before the cancer became ulcerated, afforded the best outcome. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society. Cancer is a disease that has existed in animals and humans since prehistoric times. However, the first written record of cancer is dated 3000 BC.